Editor, Gazette-Journal:

The letter “Many reasons” (Oct. 13 Readers Write) listed a number of reasons for abortions. Here is some information about alternatives to abortions that should also be considered.

Birth control, such as abstinence, the rhythm method, contraceptives, etc., has and can still reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies. Before birth control, if you had sex, you had children. Many women had a baby almost every year, as opposed to the few they are having since birth control. Even before abortion became legal, women could avoid getting pregnant and needing (?) an abortion.

Although some birth control methods may fail occasionally, there is Safe Haven to accept unwanted babies. Safe Haven is an organization that started in Texas in 1999 and is now in all 50 states. It allows a woman to give her newborn baby to a hospital or competent authority (police, firemen, EMTs, etc.) or place the baby in a Safe Haven baby box anonymously with no questions asked. The baby must be unharmed and under a certain age and will become a ward of the state eligible for adoption, which is a desirable situation for people looking to adopt a child.

Crisis pregnancy centers are available to solve the problem of women who don’t know much about having or taking care of a baby. Their services are free and confidential, and are supported by donations. They include option and adoption counseling, medical and community referrals, pregnancy confirmation by ultrasound, lab pregnancy tests, parenting education, baby and maternity needs (clothing, car seats, etc.) and abortion recovery.

The reasons for abortion can be greatly reduced by birth control, Safe Haven and crisis pregnancy centers.

Robert Boudreaux
Gloucester, Va.